The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it plans to reduce the spending authority of its district and regional engineers to curb corruption.
According to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, the new spending limits aim to centralize approval of higher-value infrastructure projects under the DPWH central office, ensuring oversight and uniform technical evaluation before contracts are awarded.
The limits were previously P50 million for district engineers and P150 million for regional directors, but Dizon said that the ceilings would be “substantially reduced” under the forthcoming department order.
The DPWH is working on finalizing the new guidelines, which are expected to be released soon, he said.
Dizon also said that the move aims to restore trust in public works by ensuring every peso spent on infrastructure is properly accounted for and truly benefits the public.
The agency is heeding the recommendation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is investigating the flood control scam involving DPWH officials, public contractors, and politicians.
The DPWH is studying how to implement the change without affecting workflow at the regional and district levels. “It’s not that easy because DPWH is very decentralized,” Dizon said. “But we believe the central office can absorb the added responsibility to ensure accountability”.
The new spending limits are part of the DPWH’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in its operations, Dizon said.
“By centralizing approval for higher-value projects, the agency aims to reduce the risk of corruption and ensure that projects are implemented efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Last week, the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) formally urged DPWH to lower the contract ceiling for regional and district engineering offices amid a corruption scandal involving mostly flood control projects.
The Commission proposed to halve the current amounts to P200 million and P75 million, respectively, from the current P400 million and P150 million ceilings.
